The 2025/26 2. Bundesliga season kicks off with a bang as two recently relegated sides, SV Darmstadt 98 and VfL Bochum 1848, face off in a highly anticipated opening fixture. Both teams are looking to make an immediate impact after dropping down from the top flight, with the ultimate goal of securing a quick return to the Bundesliga. This match is not just about three points; it’s about setting the tone for their promotion campaign and laying down an early marker against a direct rival.
Darmstadt enters the new season with a new coach and a refreshed squad, aiming to capitalize on their home advantage. VfL Bochum, meanwhile, is determined to show that their relegation was a temporary setback. With both teams having contrasting pre-season performances, this encounter at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor promises to be a thrilling and unpredictable start to the new campaign.
What Time Does Darmstadt 98 vs. VfL Bochum 1848 Kick-Off?
- Location: Darmstadt, Germany
- Stadium: Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor
- Date: Saturday, August 2, 2025
- Kick-off Time: 7:00 AM ET / 1:00 PM BST / 2:00 PM CEST
- Indian Time (IST): 4:30 PM IST (Saturday, August 2, 2025)
- Referee: N/A (Referee details for the new season are often not released until closer to the matchday.)
Darmstadt 98 vs. VfL Bochum 1848 Head-to-Head Record (Last Five Games)
The last five competitive meetings between Darmstadt and Bochum have been closely contested.
- Darmstadt 98: 1 win
- VfL Bochum 1848: 2 wins
- Draws: 2
- Last Meeting: March 31, 2024: VfL Bochum 2–2 Darmstadt 98 (Bundesliga)
Current Form (All Competitions)
Darmstadt 98
- July 26, 2025: 1899 Hoffenheim 5–1 Darmstadt 98 (Club Friendly)
- July 20, 2025: Darmstadt 98 2–0 FSV Frankfurt (Club Friendly)
- July 16, 2025: FC Giessen 1–3 Darmstadt 98 (Club Friendly)
- May 18, 2025: SV Darmstadt 98 0–1 SV Werder Bremen (Bundesliga)
- May 11, 2025: 1. FC Heidenheim 1–0 SV Darmstadt 98 (Bundesliga)
VfL Bochum 1848
- July 27, 2025: VfL Bochum 0–2 Bayer Leverkusen (Club Friendly)
- July 16, 2025: VfL Bochum 5–4 Young Boys (Club Friendly)
- July 12, 2025: VfL Bochum 3–2 Waldhof Mannheim (Club Friendly)
- May 17, 2025: St. Pauli 0–2 VfL Bochum (Bundesliga)
- May 10, 2025: VfL Bochum 1–4 Mainz 05 (Bundesliga)
How to Watch Darmstadt 98 vs. VfL Bochum 1848 on TV, Live Stream
| Country | TV/Live Stream |
|---|---|
| United States | ESPN+ |
| United Kingdom | Sky Sports |
| Canada | DAZN |
| Germany | Sky Deutschland, Sky Go, WOW, OneFootball |
| India | Sony Sports Network, SonyLIV |
In India, all Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga matches will be aired on the Sony Sports Network and their streaming platform, SonyLIV.
Darmstadt 98 Team News
Darmstadt enters the season with a new head coach, who has overseen a squad rebuild. They have been active in the transfer market, but the full impact of these changes remains to be seen. The team will be without midfielder Tobias Kempe, who is serving a suspension. However, new signings are expected to feature prominently in the starting lineup. The team will look to their home support to gain an early advantage and begin their journey back to the top flight on a positive note.
Darmstadt 98 Predicted Lineup vs. VfL Bochum 1848
Darmstadt 98 predicted lineup vs. VfL Bochum 1848 (4-2-3-1): Schuhen; Klarer, Maglica, Isherwood, Karic; Gjasula, Holland; Vilhelmsson, Manu, Honsak; Hornby.
VfL Bochum 1848 Team News
VfL Bochum will be looking to their experience from the previous season to get a result on the road. The club has managed to retain several key players and will be a strong contender for promotion. They are expected to be without defender Cristian Gamboa, who is sidelined with an injury, and midfielder Anthony Losilla, who is suspended. The team’s pre-season form has been mixed but has shown flashes of attacking brilliance. Striker Philipp Hofmann, who has a strong record against Darmstadt, will be the key player to watch.
VfL Bochum 1848 Predicted Lineup vs. Darmstadt 98
VfL Bochum 1848 predicted lineup vs. Darmstadt 98 (4-3-3): Luthe; Passlack, Masovic, Ordets, Wittek; Bero, Stoger, Osterhage; Asano, Hofmann, Antwi-Adjei.
Darmstadt 98 vs VfL Bochum 1848 Score Prediction
This match is a difficult one to predict, as it is the first game of a new season for both teams. Darmstadt has the home advantage and a point to prove after a disappointing pre-season friendly. Bochum has more continuity in their squad but has shown some defensive vulnerabilities. The game will likely be an open affair, with both teams eager to attack. While Darmstadt will be highly motivated, Bochum’s individual quality and firepower, particularly from Hofmann, might be enough to secure a point or all three on the road.
Prediction: Darmstadt 98 2–2 VfL Bochum 1848.
Mobile & PC | Auto Quality
Mobile & PC | Auto Quality
